Welcome To the Indy Democrat Blog

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dan Coats To Run For Bayh's Senate Seat

He retired instead of facing him in 1998, but now, he wants a piece of Senator Evan Bayh. That "he" is one former Indiana Senator Dan Coats.

The 66-year-old Coats held the role of Indiana's junior Senator for 10 years before retiring in 1998. Since his retirement, Coats has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany and as a lobbyist. He also was tagged by former President George W. Bush to advocate for Harriet Miers' appointment to the Supreme Court in the U.S. Senate. Miers eventually removed her name from consideration after her nomination was roundly criticized by Republicans and Democrats.

Well, now, seeing Bayh as vulnerable, Coats has apparently decided it's time to get back into electoral politics. Politico has the story here with credits to Brian Howey for breaking the story. This now definitely sets up an extremely interesting primary battle between two former members of Congress, Rep. John Hostettler and Sen. Coats. State Senator Marlin Stutzman could also play a role with financier Don Bates and businessman and tea partier Richard Behney in tow.

Good luck Republicans catching Bayh's $12 million now with at least three good names in the race. How much does it take to run a good Senate campaign against, statistically, the most conservative Democrat in Congress, and do any of these Republican candidates have the gas to get it done?